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Mespilus canescens
Mespilus canescens, commonly known as Stern's medlar, is a large shrub or small tree, recently discovered in Prairie County, Arkansas, United States, and formally named in 1990. It is a critically endangered endemic species, with only 25 plants known, all in one small (9 ha) wood, now protected as the Konecny Grove Natural Area.
Originally discovered by Jane Stern (hence "Stern's medlar") in 1968–69, the plant was difficult to identify, and at times placed in the genus Crataegus, and even Aronia. J. B. Phipps first described it as belonging to the genus Mespilus in 1990.
While Stern's medlar has been noted for its great horticultural potential, the plant is cultivated mainly for botanical purposes.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Mespilus canescens by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
